B.C. police watchdog orders hearing for officer accused of deceit

CP

VANCOUVER - B.C.'s police watchdog has ordered a public hearing over allegations a Vancouver police officer rammed a speeding vehicle and later lied about what happened.

The Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner says the allegations stem from an early morning incident on Dec. 26, 2011, when an SUV was reported to be travelling at high speed in Vancouver's east side.

The notice says a supervisor ordered officers not to pursue the SUV, and minutes later Const. Christopher Charters reported that his cruiser had been rammed by the suspect vehicle.

A notice from the commissioner says a subsequent investigation determined Charters' cruiser hit the suspect vehicle, rather than the other way around.

An internal review by the Vancouver Police Department concluded Charters should be dismissed from the force for deceit, but the officer has requested the complaints commissioner hold a public hearing.

A retired judge will hear evidence about the allegations and determine what discipline, if any, Charters will face.